Multi-purpose utility pack

ABSTRACT

A multi-purpose utility pack is provided for carrying an object at an approximately 45 degree angle. The multi-purpose utility pack comprises a main body having at least a main compartment, a top portion, a bottom portion, a right portion, a left portion, an outside face and an inside face. The pack includes four strap mounts each including a fastening device, a releasable attachment flap having four strap mounts each including a fastening device for attaching the attachment flap to the main body of the pack. The attachment flap also includes a secondary strap fixedly attached to the attachment flap used to support the object being carried near the object&#39;s base.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention generally relates to backpacks in general, and moreparticularly, to a multi-purpose utility pack which holds large objectat an angle for ease of mobility.

BACKGROUND

Backpacks, or packs, are commonly used by hikers, bikers and studentsfor carrying any sort of equipment, items or books. Backpacks form anessential part of the gear of the outdoor trekkers and the urbanbackpackers, allowing mobility and compactness. Most backpacks include abag attached to a set of shoulder straps. Such packs are used forgeneral transportation of goods, and have variable capacity. Mostbackpacks consist of a main body with a main pocket to hold the goods oritems, and cannot carry large objects, such as surfboards or snowboards.Other strapping mechanisms used for carrying large objects obstructmobility of the arms or legs of the users.

Therefore, improved multi-purpose utility packs which can hold largeobjects at an angle while allowing the user to be hands free andproviding user mobility, and can also be used as an everyday backpackcan be beneficial.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Provided herein are embodiments of a multi-purpose utility pack whichcan hold a large object at an angle while allowing the user to be handsfree and providing substantially unobstructed user mobility, and whichcan also be used as an everyday backpack.

The devices, systems and methods disclose herein a multi-purpose utilitypack for carrying an object at an approximately 45 degree angle. Themulti-purpose utility pack includes a main body having at least a maincompartment, a top portion, a bottom portion, a right portion, a leftportion, an outside face and an inside face. The pack includes fourstrap mounts each including a fastening device, a releasable attachmentflap having four strap mounts each including a fastening device forattaching the attachment flap to the four fastening devices of the fourstrap mounts on the pack. The attachment flap also includes a secondarystrap fixedly attached to the attachment flap used to support the objectbeing carried near the object's base.

In some embodiments, the multi-purpose utility pack includes two strapmounts at or near the top portion of the pack each including a fasteningdevice, an attachment flap wherein the bottom edge of the attachmentflap is fixedly attached at or near the bottom edge of the outside faceof the main body of the pack. The top edge or near the top edge of theattachment flap includes two strap mounts each including a fasteningdevice for attaching the attachment flap to the two fastening devices ofthe two strap mounts on the pack. The attachment flap also includes asecondary strap fixedly attached to the attachment flap used to supportthe object being carried near the object's base.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following more detailed description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way ofexamples, the principles of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrated in the accompanying drawings is at least one of the bestmode embodiments of the present invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a multi-purpose utility packaccording to an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a usage of a multi-purpose utility pack according toan example embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a right side view of a multi-purpose utility packaccording to an example embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates an outside face of a multi-purpose utility packaccording to an example embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a left side view of a multi-purpose utility packaccording to an example embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates an attachment flap of a multi-purpose utility packaccording to an example embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates another attachment flap of a multi-purpose utilitypack according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates an inside face of a multi-purpose utility packaccording to an example embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates another inside face of a multi-purpose utility packaccording to an example embodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates another perspective view of a multi-purpose utilitypack according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary use of a multi-purpose utility packaccording to an example embodiment.

FIG. 12 illustrates another exemplary use of a multi-purpose utilitypack for carrying a surfboard according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 13 illustrates another view of an exemplary use of a multi-purposeutility pack for carrying a surfboard according to an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 14 illustrates another exemplary use of a multi-purpose utilitypack for carrying a surfboard according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 15 illustrates another exemplary use of a multi-purpose utilitypack for carrying a snowboard according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 16 illustrates examples of objects that can be carried with amulti-purpose utility pack according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 17 illustrates other examples of objects that can be carried with amulti-purpose utility pack according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The above described figures illustrate the described invention andmethod of use in at least one of its preferred, best mode embodiment,which is further defined in detail in the following description. Thosehaving ordinary skill in the art may be able to make alterations andmodifications to what is described herein without departing from itsspirit and scope. While this invention is susceptible of embodiment inmany different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein bedescribed in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention with theunderstanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as anexemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intendedto limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodimentillustrated. All features, elements, components, functions, and stepsdescribed with respect to any embodiment provided herein are intended tobe freely combinable and substitutable with those from any otherembodiment unless otherwise stated. Therefore, it should be understoodthat what is illustrated is set forth only for the purposes of exampleand should not be taken as a limitation on the scope of the presentinvention.

In the following description and in the figures, like elements areidentified with like reference numerals. The use of “e.g.,” “etc,” and“or” indicates non-exclusive alternatives without limitation, unlessotherwise noted. The use of “including” or “includes” means “including,but not limited to,” or “includes, but not limited to,” unless otherwisenoted.

In the example embodiments, the multi-purpose utility pack is shown inFIGS. 1-17. The multi-purpose utility pack is designated as 100 in thefigures and allows the user to be completely hands free andsubstantially free mobility of the arms and legs, while carrying a largeobject and the necessary equipment, for example, for a long expeditionto an action sports area. The pack 100 can also be used as a normaleveryday backpack. For example, FIG. 16 illustrates some exemplarysurfboards in different shapes and sizes that a user can carry with thepack 100. In another example, FIG. 17 illustrates some exemplarysnowboards and equipment that a user can carry with the pack 100. Theexamples of sports equipment are used in these figures. However, theobjects and equipment are not limited to sports equipment.

Generally, the pack 100 can hold large objects at an approximately 45degree angle off the spine of the user's back on the outside face,farthest from the user's back, of the pack 100 for transporting, thusallowing the user substantially unobstructed arms and legs mobility andto be hands free while the user is in motion, for example, walking,hiking, riding a bicycle, etc. The pack 100 may be made of durable andlightweight material known in the art, for example, canvas fabric,neoprene lining, L200 foam, leather, etc. The bottom of the pack 100 maybe reinforced. The pack 100 generally includes four strap mounts whichallow the user to quickly attach, and switch, attachments to the outsideface of the pack 100. At least two of the strap mounts can be adjustedto accommodate different object widths and thicknesses. In someembodiments, different flap attachments designed to carry (for example,wrap around) different object widths and weights can be latched on tothe strap mounts. The flap attachment may include at least four strapmounts used to latch the flap attachment on to the strap mounts on thepack 100. The flap attachment can also include a secondary strap used tosupport the object being carried near the object's base. In thedescriptions herein, for illustration purposes, the pack 100 will bedescribed in an upright position. The strap mounts may also be referredto as mounts.

Turning to FIG. 1, an example embodiment of a multi-purpose utility pack100 is shown. In the example embodiment, the pack 100 generallycomprises a backpack with a main compartment and two or more secondarypockets, a top portion 101, a bottom portion 103, a right portion 102and 102′, a left portion 104, an outside face 105 and an inside face106. The top portion 101 is approximately 45-degree angled off ahorizontal axis. The top portion 101 and right potion 102 form an anglebetween 90 and 180 degrees. The pack 100 also includes four strap mounts111, 112, 113, 114; mounts 111 and 112 are at or near the top of thepack 100; mounts 113 and 114 are at or near the bottom of the pack 100and are not shown. As will be shown herein, when the pack 100 is worn bya user, in some embodiments, the four strap mounts 111, 112, 113, 114are approximately 45-degree-angled off the spine of the user. It isnoted that in some embodiments, the top mounts 111 and 112 may beaffixed to the pack 100 along the edge between the top portion 101 andthe outside face 105. In these embodiments, the top mounts 111 and 112are at approximately 45-degree angle, as with the top portion 101. Inother embodiments, all four mounts 111, 112, 113, 114 are horizontallyaffixed to the pack 100 along two horizontal axes, as shown in FIG. 4(mounts 411, 412, 413, 414). The mounts 111, 112, 113, 114 may include aquick release clip, or any fastening device known in the art, forexample, parachute clip, buckle, etc. In some embodiments, at least thetwo top mounts 111, 112 may include adjustable straps. In theseembodiments, the fastening device, for example, a quick release clip, isat the distal, free end of the adjustable strap. The proximal end of thestrap is fixedly attached to the main body of the pack 100. Theadjustable straps allow the pack 100 to hold a variety of shapes andsizes of the objects to be carried.

A releasable attachment flap 120 can be attached or latched on to theoutside face 105, farthest to the user's back, of the pack 100. Theattachment flap 120 includes four strap mounts having fastening devicesthat would match with the four strap mounts 111, 112, 113, 114, forquick attachment to (and release from) the main body of the pack 100.Different attachment flaps 120 designs (as shown in examples in FIGS. 6and 7) can be used to carry a variety of shapes, sizes and weights ofobjects. In some embodiments, at least the two top strap mounts 141, 142of the attachment flap 120 may include adjustable straps. In theseembodiments, the fastening device, for example, a quick release clip, isat the distal, free end of the adjustable strap. The proximal end of thestrap is fixedly attached to the top edge of the attachment flap 120.The adjustable straps allow the attachment flap 120 to accommodate avariety of shapes and sizes of the objects to be carried. It is notedthat the adjustable straps of both the mounts 111 and 112 on the mainbody of the pack 100, and the mounts 141 and 142 on the attachment flap120 can be adjusted for a maximum object width. The attachment flap 120also includes a secondary strap 130 to support the carried object nearthe base of the object (as shown in examples in FIGS. 12 to 15). In someembodiments, all four strap mounts of the attachment flap 120 mayinclude adjustable straps. FIGS. 4, 6 and 7 illustrate more exampleembodiments of the attachment flap 120.

The pack 100 may have a single strap affixed to the inside face 106,closest to the user's back, of the pack 100 at an approximately 45degree angle, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. In the example embodiments, theuser wears the pack 100 with the single strap around the chest and uppertorso at an approximately 45 degree angle to counter balance the weightof the object attached to the pack 100. The pack 100 includes a maincompartment (not shown) and a plurality of secondary pockets. A pocket150 is shown as example in FIG. 1. Other exemplary pockets are alsoshown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 10.

In some embodiments, the pocket 150, or another pocket of the pack 100,includes a rechargeable battery charger that can be used to charge aportable device, for example, a cell phone.

Turning to FIG. 2, the multi-purpose utility pack 100 is shown as abackpack without carrying a large object. In this example embodiment,the pack 100 is used as an everyday backpack, for example, for carryingbooks or small objects.

Turning to FIG. 3, a right side view of an example embodiment of thepack 100 is shown. In this example embodiment, the pack 100 includes amain compartment 310 (top portion is shown) and at least one secondarypocket 320.

Turning to FIG. 4, an example embodiment of an outside face of the pack100 is shown. In this example embodiment, the pack 100 includes aplurality of secondary pockets 410, 430 on the main body of the pack100. In some embodiments, the attachment flap 420 also includes aplurality of secondary pockets 440. The pack 100 may also include ahandle 440 at the top of the pack 100, for example, for carrying.

Turning to FIG. 5, a left side view of an example embodiment of the pack100 is shown. In this example embodiment, the pack 100 includes a maincompartment 510 (bottom portion is shown) and a plurality of secondarypockets 520.

Turning to FIG. 6, an example embodiment of an attachment flap 600 isshown. The attachment flap 600 may be used to carry, for example, asnowboard. In this example embodiment, the flap 600 includes four mounts611, 612, 613 and 614. The four mounts 611, 612, 613 and 614 may befastened to the four strap mounts on the body of the pack 100. In someembodiments, the top mounts 611 and 612 may be at the distal, free endof respective adjustable straps, allowing the flap 600 to accommodate avariety of shapes and sizes of objects to be carried. In someembodiments, all four mounts 611, 612, 613 and 614 may be at the distal,free end of respective adjustable straps. Also as described herein, theflap 600 includes a secondary strap 620 to support the carried objectnear the base of the object. The cross strap 622 may be used to wraparound the width of the object as shown in the example embodiments inFIGS. 12 to 15. The secondary strap 620 may be fixedly attached, forexample, sewn into, the flap 600.

Turning to FIG. 7, an example embodiment of an attachment flap 700 isshown. The attachment flap 700 may be used to carry, for example, asurfboard. In this example embodiment, the flap 700 includes four mounts711, 712, 713 and 714. The four mounts 711, 712, 713 and 714 may befastened to the four strap mounts on the body of the pack 100. In someembodiments, the top mounts 711 and 712 may be at the distal, free endof respective adjustable straps, allowing the flap 700 to accommodate avariety of shapes and sizes of objects to be carried. In someembodiments, all four mounts 711, 712, 713 and 714 may be at the distal,free end of respective adjustable straps. Also as described herein, theflap 700 includes a secondary strap 720 to support the carried objectnear the base of the object. The cross strap 722 may be used to wraparound the width of the object as shown in the example embodiments inFIGS. 12 to 15. The secondary strap 720 may be fixedly attached, forexample, sewn into, the flap 700.

Turning to FIG. 8, a view of an example embodiment of an inside face ofthe pack 100 is shown. In this example embodiment, the pack 100 includesa single strap affixed to the inside face, closest to the user's back,of the pack 100 at an approximately 45 degree angle. A pocket 810 may bereleasably or fixedly affixed to the single strap 805 of the pack 100.The pocket 810 may include a rechargeable battery charger that can beused to charge a portable device, for example, a cell phone. In someembodiments, the single strap 805 may be adjustable to fit the size andheight of the user. Any fastening device known in the art, for example,a buckle or Velcro (as shown in FIG. 9), may be used to provideadjustability for the strap 805.

Turning to FIG. 9, a view of another example embodiment of an insideface of the pack 100 is shown. In this example embodiment, the singlestrap 910 of the pack 100 can be adjusted using Velcro. The inside faceof the pack 100 may also include airflow ventilation system 920.

Turning to FIGS. 10 and 11, a further example embodiment of a pack 100is shown. In the example embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the outsideface of the pack 100 includes a large pocket 1010 and a smaller pocket1020 for storage. For example, the pocket 1010 may be used to store atowel, while the pocket 1020 may be used to store a wetsuit. In someembodiments, the pockets 1010 and 1020 may be water resistant. As shownin FIGS. 10 and 11, the attachment flap 1030 may be used as a changingpad.

In some embodiments, the pack 100 includes only two strap mounts 111,112 at or near the top of the pack 100 as described herein. In theseembodiments, an attachment flap is fixedly attached to the bottom edgeof the outside face the pack 100.

Turning to FIGS. 12 to 15, example embodiments of a pack 100 being usedto carry large objects are shown. In the example embodiments, the usersuse the pack 100 to carry large objects such as surfboards (FIGS. 12 to14) and snowboards (FIG. 15). The objects are carried at anapproximately 45 degree angle off the spine of the user's back. Whilecarrying the large objects with the pack 100, the users still havesubstantially unobstructed arms, hands and legs mobility. The adjustableflap can be adjusted to fit different object sizes and shapes. Differentflaps may be used for different objects.

Turning to FIG. 16, examples of objects that a user can carry with apack 100 are shown. For example, a 6-foot tall user may use the pack 100to carry a surfboard of different sizes and shapes as shown. The shapesand sizes shown are only for illustration purpose and are not meant aslimitations.

Turning to FIG. 17, further examples of objects that a user can carrywith a pack 100 are shown. For example, a user may use the pack 100 tocarry various ski equipment, helmet, boots, etc., together with a pairof skis. In another example, the user may carry a snowboard of differentsizes and shapes. The equipment and shapes and sizes shown are only forillustration purpose and are not meant as limitations.

The enablements described above are considered novel over the prior artand are considered critical to the operation of at least one aspect ofthe invention and to the achievement of the above described objectives.The words used in this specification to describe the instant embodimentsare to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly definedmeanings, but to include by special definition in this specification:structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly definedmeanings. Thus if an element can be understood in the context of thisspecification as including more than one meaning, then its use must beunderstood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by thespecification and by the word or words describing the element.

The definitions of the words or drawing elements described herein aremeant to include not only the combination of elements which areliterally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts forperforming substantially the same function in substantially the same wayto obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is thereforecontemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements maybe made for any one of the elements described and its variousembodiments or that a single element may be substituted for two or moreelements in a claim.

Changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person withordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expresslycontemplated as being equivalents within the scope intended and itsvarious embodiments. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later knownto one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scopeof the defined elements. This disclosure is thus meant to be understoodto include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what isconceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted, and alsowhat incorporates the essential ideas.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multi-purpose utility pack for carrying anobject at an approximately 45 degree angle, the multi-purpose utilitypack comprising: a main body having at least a main compartment, a topportion, a bottom portion, a right portion, a left portion, an outsideface and an inside face; four strap mounts on the main body, eachincluding a fastening device; a releasable attachment flap having fourstrap mounts each including a fastening device for attaching theattachment flap to the four fastening devices of the four strap mountson the main body; and a secondary strap fixedly attached to theattachment flap.
 2. The multi-purpose utility pack of claim 1, whereintwo of the four strap mounts are at or near the top of the outside faceof the multi-purpose utility pack, and two of the four strap mounts areat or near the bottom of the outside face of the multi-purpose utilitypack.
 3. The multi-purpose utility pack of claim 1, wherein at least twoof the four strap mounts each including an adjustable strap.
 4. Themulti-purpose utility pack of claim 3, wherein the fastening device isat the distal, free end of the adjustable strap.
 5. The multi-purposeutility pack of claim 1, wherein the fastening device is a quick releaseparachute clip.
 6. The multi-purpose utility pack of claim 1, whereinthe fastening device is a buckle.
 7. The multi-purpose utility pack ofclaim 1, wherein at least two of the four strap mounts of the attachmentflap each includes an adjustable strap.
 8. The multi-purpose utilitypack of claim 7, wherein the fastening device is at the distal, free endof the adjustable strap.
 9. The multi-purpose utility pack of claim 1,wherein a single strap is affixed to the inside face of themulti-purpose utility pack at an approximately 45 degree angle.
 10. Themulti-purpose utility pack of claim 1, wherein the multi-purpose utilitypack further comprises a plurality of pockets, wherein one of theplurality of pockets includes a rechargeable battery charger.
 11. Themulti-purpose utility pack of claim 1, wherein the top portion isapproximately 45 degree angle in reference a horizontal axis.
 12. Themulti-purpose utility pack of claim 1, wherein the attachment flap isdesigned to fit objects of various shapes and sizes.
 13. A multi-purposeutility pack for carrying an object at an approximately 45 degree angle,the multi-purpose utility pack comprising: a main body having at least amain compartment, a top portion, a bottom portion, a right portion, aleft portion, an outside face and an inside face; two strap mounts at ornear the top portion, each including a fastening device; an attachmentflap wherein the bottom edge of the attachment flap is fixedly attachedat or near the bottom of the outside face of the main body, the top edgeof the attachment flap includes two strap mounts each including afastening device for attaching the attachment flap to the two fasteningdevices of the two strap mounts at or near the top portion; and asecondary strap fixedly attached to the attachment flap.
 14. Themulti-purpose utility pack of claim 13, wherein the two strap mountseach includes an adjustable strap.
 15. The multi-purpose utility pack ofclaim 14, wherein the fastening device is at the distal, free end of theadjustable strap.
 16. The multi-purpose utility pack of claim 13,wherein the fastening device is a quick release parachute clip.
 17. Themulti-purpose utility pack of claim 13, wherein the fastening device isa buckle.
 18. The multi-purpose utility pack of claim 13, wherein asingle strap is affixed to the inside face of the multi-purpose utilitypack at an approximately 45 degree angle.
 19. The multi-purpose utilitypack of claim 13, wherein the multi-purpose utility pack furthercomprises a plurality of pockets, wherein one of the plurality ofpockets includes a rechargeable battery charger.
 20. The multi-purposeutility pack of claim 13, wherein the attachment flap is designed to fitobjects of various shapes and sizes.